I was wondering what is the largest geophagus "red head / orange head " tapajos you have seen? There are mixed reports as to how big these guys actually get. I haven't seen ones larger than 13cm.
Geo. Tapajos "red head" real size
- Thread starter mattybecks
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- geophagus tapajos
I bred them for a few years and grew out quite a few. My males generally were in the range of 6.5-7.5 inches (total length), occasionally a bit more, 7.75 inches not uncommon. So, what's that, approximately 17-20 centimeters total length.
I ask because I have just moved my 7 Geo's from my 130 gal into my 40gal (100cm x 35 x 45). This is only a temporary home as I sold my 130gal this evening, and getting my 180gal delivered this weekend.
Anyway my geos seem to enjoy this space all to themselves. They coloured up nicely and within 15 min they started showing breeding behavior in the corner.
They look really nice too. As they are smaller species of geo, do you think they could find this tank home for a while longer?
I have a canister filter (2000L per hour) and a DIY pothos filter along the top with some filter material inside too.
Then I have some extra space to get other fish in my new 180 ...
Anyway my geos seem to enjoy this space all to themselves. They coloured up nicely and within 15 min they started showing breeding behavior in the corner.
They look really nice too. As they are smaller species of geo, do you think they could find this tank home for a while longer?
I have a canister filter (2000L per hour) and a DIY pothos filter along the top with some filter material inside too.
Then I have some extra space to get other fish in my new 180 ...
Thanks! That's good to know.. nice to hear from someone with first hand experience .. I guess they will be better suited to the 180 then ...
All mine were over 6 inches. And we're mean to eacgother when pairing up and spawning. I think the 180 would be much better suited but definitely room for more fish.
Ive had one for almost 3 years. Male and maybe 5" total. I got an albino heckelli about 6 months after the topajo and it's bigger almost 7". So I dont know max size but thought and have been told if its a red head topajo 5" is max. Now there is a orange head ( common name no idea if its got the topajo river title on it )also that gets bigger maybe its getting mixed in to those equations.. ? I dont have any scientific info as to if this info is correct. So dont go saying I said I'm some sort of authority, I'm not.
OH = RH, same fish. I have seen them up to 7+".
BTW - Matty, nice looking set up! Even if it isn't long term.
BTW - Matty, nice looking set up! Even if it isn't long term.
+1. I've seen people insist on one or the other name, but neither is official and people use both. Like a lot of species, size can vary a little, they may stay smaller for some people. But whatever combination of food, water, or genes played a role, my males were consistently over 6 inches. Females a bit smaller.
Active fish ime, meaning I agree with your conclusion, Matt, 40 gal is small for an adult group in the long term. But in a tank with room they're compatible with a range of other relatively peaceful SA cichlids of varying size. Mine did great with rotkeil sevs, for example.
Well, not quite true. They are officially known, in scientific terms, as Geophagus sp. "Tapajos Orange Head" until they are formally described.
But we all known common names are a mess and get assigned no matter what, even if it causes confusion with existing species. And red tends to sell better for some odd, human reason.
Source? I've seen both in what I'd consider reliable sources.
https://www.cichlidae.com/article.php?id=308
Until they're officially described, it appears to me 'red' or 'orange' depends on source. Wouldn't be the first time it's been the case-- even among expert sources-- before a fish is taxonomically described and registered.
